Introduction
Pizo A 0.5 is a medicine used for the prevention of migraine. However, it cannot treat an acute attack and will only work to prevent migraines for as long as you continue to take the medicine. This medicine relaxes the brain, preventing migraine headache.
Pizo A 0.5 may be taken with or without food, preferably at night. However, it is advisable to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it.
Side effects associated with the use of this medicine include dryness in mouth, increased appetite, and feeling sick. It may cause sleepiness in the beginning of your treatment, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. It may also cause weight gain, eat a healthy balanced diet, avoid snacking with high-calorie food, and exercise regularly to prevent it.
It is important to consult your doctor if you develop a skin rash, muscle aches, tremors, or difficulty moving after taking this medicine. You should avoid alcohol consumption while taking this medicine as it may result in increased sedation. If you are taking this medicine for a long-term, regular monitoring of liver function and vision is recommended.
Side effects of Pizo A 0.5
Common
- Sleepiness
- Dryness in mouth
- Increased appetite
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Feeling sick
How to use Pizo A 0.5
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Pizo A 0.5 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Pizo A 0.5 works
Migraine headaches are thought to result from the dilatation of blood vessels in the head. Pizo A 0.5 is a serotonin antagonist. It works by maintaining the level of serotonin (chemical messenger) in the brain and also prevents loss of tone and dilation of blood vessels, thus preventing the migraine headache.
What if you forget to take Pizo A 0.5?
If you miss a dose of Pizo A 0.5, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Headache, Migraine
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral
Prophylaxis of migraine; Prophylaxis of cluster headache
Adult: Initially, 0.5 mg, increase gradually as necessary.
Maintenance: 1.5 mg daily as a single dose at night or in 3 divided doses.
Max: 4.5 mg daily (max ?3 mg/dose).
Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustment may be needed.
Child Dose
Oral
Prophylaxis of migraine; Prophylaxis of cluster headache
Child: >2 yr Initially, 0.5 mg. May increase gradually up to 1.5 mg daily in divided doses (max 1 mg/dose).
Renal Dose
Renal impairment: Dose adjustment may be needed.
Contraindication
Premature infants or neonates. Postural giddiness.
Mode of Action
Pizotifen is a sedating antihistamine with strong serotonin antagonist and weak antimuscarinic properties. It also antagonises the action of tryptamine.
Precaution
Patient w/ angle-closure glaucoma, urinary retention, epilepsy. Avoid abrupt withdrawal. Renal and hepatic impairment. Childn. Pregnancy and lactation. Patient Counselling This drug may cause drowsiness, somnolence and dizziness, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Monitoring Parameters Monitor hepatic function (prolonged use), wt gain, BP.
Side Effect
Increased appetite, nausea, wt gain, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, muscle pain or cramps, heavy or restless legs, fluid retention, facial flushing, reduced libido, exacerbation of epilepsy, dreaming, hepatic injury.
Interaction
Enhances sedative effects of CNS depressants. Additive antimuscarinic action with other antimuscarinic drugs. May mask warning signs of damage caused by ototoxic drugs eg, aminoglycosides.